St. Jude’s Medical Book 3: Wedding Manner by CG Macington

 

St. Jude’s Medical Book 3

The Ice King. The Trauma Cowboy. And a wedding so disastrous that it is going to require a surgical team to save the reception.

Maxwell York lives his life by a strict, six-page, colour-coded protocol. As a world-class cardiac surgeon, his 'Standard of Care' is more than a professional it is the only way he can navigate a world that has always inexplicably been too loud and too fast. But when his mother, Catherine, turns his wedding into a royal coronation, Max’s carefully maintained "Ice King" mask begins to shatter under the weight of 1,200 guests and a cathedral full of unpredictable variables.

Jax O’Connell is used to the noise. Between his years as an Afghanistan war medic and his current role as Chief of Trauma, he has built a life on hyper-vigilance and split-second decisions. He knows his fiancé is not he is just calibrated differently. But between a hijacked 747, an Enzo-designed "Tactical Tuxedo," and the ghosts of his own past, Jax is realizing that eloping might be the only way to keep them both from flatlining.

As the York family’s rigid legacy faces a hostile takeover, the chaos reaches a fever pitch. While Max and Jax battle sensory overload and PTSD triggers, Max’s father, Alistair, is hiding a secret of his own. His uncharacteristic behaviour and strange tropical interests are about to drop a sudden shock on the family at the worst possible moment.

When a long-buried secret about Max’s childhood reveals the lengths Catherine went to "sanitize" his history, the merger of the century becomes a mass casualty event for the social elite. Amidst triple vows and a flock of confused doves, Max and Jax must perform the ultimate life-saving building a future where they do not have to be "cured" to be whole.

Return to St. Jude’s Medical for the hilariously high-stakes third installment of the series. Wedding Manner is a steamy, "Own Voices" MM romantic comedy featuring a brilliant surgeon unmasking his truth, a veteran surgeon managing the echoes of war, and a happy ending that is strictly off-protocol.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250056277-wedding-manner

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Oh my god did this book make me laugh. Super hilarious the whole way through! We return with Max and Jax for a wedding! But telling Max’s very insane mother about wanting a wedding at city hall doesn’t exactly go according to plan. She wants it to be a very big event. So big that these two rush to Vegas…or at least they try to. Just wait until you see how Catherine stopped that! Max and Jax will have to team up with Preston and Luke to counteract Catherine’s insane plans. And looking for a smoking gun may just lead to some family secrets as well. This book is chaotic and just everything you would want after reading this series so far. I was truly laughing the whole time at the ridiculousness of it all! Definitely don’t miss out on this finale!

St. Jude’s Medical Book 2: Conflict of Interest by CG Macington

 

St. Jude’s Medical Book 2

Spite is a powerful sedative. But in the ER, adrenaline is the only drug that matters.

Preston York has spent his entire life as the "Spare" to the York dynasty: the fun one, the flighty one, the one expected to do nothing more than look good in a tuxedo. But when his older brother Maxwell—the Golden Boy Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery—makes a bet that Preston wouldn't last a week in the real world, Preston decides to prove him wrong. He trades his silk sheets for scrubs, his brunch dates for the graveyard shift, and his dignity for a pair of rubber gloves.

He’s ready for the blood, the guts, and the exhaustion. He is not ready for his boss.

Dr. Lucas Silva clawed his way up from a fourth-floor walk-up in Queens to become the Chief Resident of St. Jude’s. He runs on caffeine, grit, and the crushing weight of his family’s expectations. He has zero patience for tourists, especially not the entitled, devastatingly handsome son of the Chairman of the Board who wears Gucci loafers to a trauma activation.

Luke is convinced Preston is just slumming it before retreating to the safety of the boardroom. Preston is determined to prove that he’s more than just a last name.

But navigating residency is impossible when the entire York clan is breathing down your neck. Between Maxwell micromanaging his surgeries, Jax O’Connell treating the trauma bay like a contact sport, and a mother who tries to bribe the hospital administration to treat her dog, Preston is fighting a war on all fronts.

As the late nights turn into early mornings, the friction between the Spare and the Chief Resident sparks into something dangerous. But when the family legacy offers Preston a golden parachute back to his old life, he has to decide: Is he playing doctor, or is he finally ready to be real?

The prognosis is chaotic.

Conflict of Interest is the direct sequel to Bedside Manner. It features the return of Maxwell and Jax, an eccentric billionaire family with no boundaries, a grumpy Chief Resident, a sunshine Intern, and enough medical drama to require a crash cart.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/246974678-conflict-of-interest

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Spite is a powerful thing. Preston may be the Spare to his family, but that doesn’t mean he is useless. That’s the last thing he wants to be. So he sets out to prove a point. He goes to medical school. Three years later, he is ready to start his residency at St. Jude’s. He may look like a rich boy, and okay, he can act like it too when necessary, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know what he is doing and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. Luke, the Chief Resident, may think he knows what he is getting when Preston joins, but he couldn’t be more wrong. Not when he watches Preston work his ass off at every task he is thrown with and never complains. Neither are ready for the attraction brewing between them, but they won’t run from it either. Another hilarious story in this series! I adored these two. They were so much fun. Preston was hilarious and as usual so was his ridiculous family. I did love that he fell in love working at the hospital. That maybe he started this adventure for one reason, but really finds his calling in it the longer he works there. And I loved that he was constantly surprising Luke. Preston was also just what Luke needed in his life. Just another fun story all around and I can’t wait to see how this series wraps up! I am expecting more chaos!

Rochester Copperheads Book 2: Spectrum & Smoke by RJ Scott & VL Locey

 

Rochester Copperheads Book 2

One firefighter. One hockey player. One slow-burn relationship neither of them planned for.

Russell “Chip” Cornish plays hockey the way his brain works best—in angles and patterns, with rules he can trust. Off the ice, the world is harder. He sticks to his routines, relies on his assistance dog Sable, and keeps most people at arm’s length. When a fire guts his gym, and the firefighter who carries him out turns out to be impossible to forget, Chip finds himself doing something he’s never been good at—letting someone in.

Dane Rourke didn’t plan on remembering the man he pulled from that fire. He didn’t plan on the cupcakes, or the hockey game, or the slow accumulation of evenings that started meaning more than they should. Getting involved with someone he rescued is the kind of thing that ends careers, and Dane knows it. What he doesn’t know is how to stop.

Spectrum & Smoke is a steamy, slow-burn MM hockey romance featuring neurodivergent rep, an assistance dog who steals every scene she’s in, opposites attract, and a love story that goes all the way to Game Seven.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/252256811-spectrum-and-smoke

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Chip likes his routines. Whether it’s on the ice playing hockey or just in everyday life. And while being autistic is easier to manage in some parts of his life, doesn’t mean it is perfect. Sometimes it takes him a bit to read people and having his service dog, Sable, is great when his anxiety is up. But making connections with people can be a little harder at times. Trusting someone enough to let them in and have a relationship. But really, he just needed to find the right person. The moment Chip meets Dane, he knows something is different. And it’s not because Dane is a firefighter who saved him. It’s so much more. Chip wants to get to know Dane. Dane knows that getting involved with someone he rescued could be disastrous for himself and for his career. But the more they see one another, the more they take the time to get to know one another, the more Dane realizes that Chip is someone he could fall for. Hard. Easily. Chip will be worth any repercussions if those at his work disagree, but Dane can’t let Chip go without a fight. These two were super sweet! I loved getting to know them and watching their relationship blossom. They just fit together so well and it was clear how much they liked one another from the start. I’m really liking this series so far and I can’t wait for the next one!

St. Jude’s Medical Book 1: Bedside Manner by CG Macington

 

St. Jude’s Medical Book 1

An enemies-to-lovers MM medical romance where opposites attract… and combustion is inevitable.

Dr. Maxwell York has a protocol for everything. As Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Max is a man of precision. He likes his coffee at exactly 180 degrees, his office silent, and his life sterile. They call him the "Ice King," and he has no intention of melting.

Dr. Jax O'Connell is a disaster waiting to happen. The Head of Trauma is Max's exact opposite. A former combat surgeon who drives a mud-splattered Jeep, blasts AC/DC in the OR, and treats rules as mild suggestions. To Jax, medicine is warfare, and he's the "Trauma Cowboy" leading the charge.

Oil, meet water. When a hospital merger forces their departments together, Max and Jax are shoved into a shared office. A single strip of blue painter's tape on the floor is the only thing separating Max's pristine order from Jax's beautiful chaos.

Max wants him gone. Jax wants to see exactly how far he can push before the Ice King cracks.

But as the pressure mounts, the friction between them sparks into something neither can control. Max is realizing that chaos might be the one thing his life has been missing. And Jax? He's discovering that the Ice King burns hotter than anyone he's ever known.

Sometimes the only cure is a little... Bedside Manner.

A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy with serious heat. Perfect for readers who love sharp banter, slow-burn tension, and two stubborn doctors who are the last to realize what everyone else already sees.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/246073150-bedside-manner

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Max likes order. Especially for a doctor who is the chief of Cardiothoracic surgery. He may be known as the “Ice King” at the hospital, but no one can argue that he is the best at what he does. But when a hospital merger forces his department with the Trauma department. Well, things get interesting. He is now sharing an office with Jax. Head of Trauma and chaos incarnate. A veteran who works best in Trauma thanks to his experience and quick thinking. They are opposites in every single way. But working together? They actually make a good team. Doesn’t mean there isn’t friction though. But that friction is slowly sparking into something else entirely. And it’s only a matter of time before these two act on it. I really loved this story! So much humor in it. These two had great banter then throw in Max’s family. Oh man, Max’s dad along is hysterical. I’m so glad we have another two books in this series. But I really loved Max and Jax’s dynamic. Opposites attract for these two and they were so cute as they fell hard for one another. Just a fun story all around and I can’t wait for more! 

Empire of Sins Book 1: Violent Devotion by L. Norell

 

Empire of Sins Book 1

Executioner. Monster. Butcher. 

Nothing Alexei Avrorin hasn’t been called before. Born into Russia’s oldest and deadliest mafia family, now its most ruthless enforcer, Alexei has become numb, disillusioned. When a simple job goes sideways, he meets Kelly Mackey, who unexpectedly and discreetly saves his life instead of turning him in.

Unable to forget the guarded veterinarian who showed him compassion he didn’t deserve, Alexei watches him from afar. As his obsession grows, so does his certainty that Kelly has dangerous secrets buried deep. And Alexei won’t stop until he uncovers every single one.

Despite Alexei’s sexuality being a death sentence in his world, Kelly awakens something in him that he’s spent his entire life suppressing. Their connection may be forbidden, deadly, but by the time they let down their walls, escape is no longer an option.

Violent Devotion is L. Norell’s debut novel and the first in The Empire of Sins series—dark MM mafia romances where each Avrorin brother gets his own interconnected story. Come for the darkness and the forbidden, stay for the dark humor, shocking reveals, and a steamy romance with a guaranteed HEA.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/245042737-violent-devotion

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Alexei knows his role in his Russian mafia family. And he knows the consequences of not staying in line. Something that never mattered to him until now. But when a job goes sideways and he finds himself at a vet clinic in the middle of the night, well that moment changes everything. He never expects Kelly. The sweet and guarded veterinarian who instead of calling the cops on Alexei, helps him instead. Alexei doesn’t realize what the feeling building inside him in until it’s too late. Everything he has been burying inside him, bursts to the surface. He knows what will happen to him if anyone finds out he has fallen for another man. But he doesn’t care. He’ll fight for Kelly. Kelly has been abused plenty in his life. Trusting anyone is not possible. Not when his ex still haunts him and is just around the corner ready to hurt him more. Kelly knows he should be afraid of Alexei, especially with how they met. So how come instead of fear, he feels safe? Safer than he has ever been. He knows Alexei is a dangerous man, but he isn’t a danger to Kelly and that means everything. A nice start to this series. I really liked getting to know Alexei and Kelly. And I loved Alexei’s crazy brothers. I think we are going to have very interesting stories as each of them get their own book. A dark mafia mm romance that does not hold back!

Stonefire Dragons Universe Book 5: Protecting Seahaven by Jessie Donovan

 

Stonefire Dragons Universe Book 5

When Dr. Emily Davies is invited to visit Clan Seahaven in Scotland, she jumps at the chance to get away from Stonefire and her heartbreak at Trahern Lewis mating someone else. However, as soon as she arrives, their head of security starts barking orders and riling her up. Determined to ignore him, she focuses on her research. However, when she learns the dragon hunters have a bounty on her head, she has no choice but to pose as the irritating dragonman’s girlfriend for her protection. She moves in with him, and the more time they spend together, the more she sees a different side to him. Regardless, Emily is determined to protect her heart, no matter how much she wishes for someone to simply want her.

Cameron Alexander is protective of his clan, especially since they were banished from Clan Lochguard years ago for having human mates or parents. With his team on high alert because of recent dragon hunter sightings, the last thing he wants to do is protect an outsider. However, once he learns his enemy wants to kidnap her, he has no choice but to amp up security and pose as her pretend boyfriend. What he didn’t expect was to feel a pull toward her and want to win her for real.

As the two dance around each other, danger strikes and it’s up to Emily to rescue Cam. Will she be able to use her knowledge to save him? Or, will the dragon hunters win and steal the dragonman she wants a future with?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/253723261-protecting-seahaven

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

When Emily gets an invitation to Clan Seahaven to continue her research to help dragons against the dragon hunters, she jumps at the chance. Partly because her research is everything to her, but another part is to run away. There was a time she had hoped her best friend had feelings for her became clear he did not when he mates someone else. She needs a little space. And she is quickly distracted when Seahaven’s head Protector is quick to rile her up. He sparks something in her she didn’t realize she was missing. But she won’t let his attitude stop her from doing her job. But when she learns that the dragon hunters have a bounty on her head, Cam is there to protect her. And it leads they to posing as a fake couple in order to protect her at all times. But it isn’t long until fake dating starts to feel so much more real. For Cam, he has been wary of human women given his past. And he isn’t looking for a mate. But being around Emily slowly chips away his former feelings. Because seeing who she is? How can he not develop feelings for a woman like her. But danger is still around the corner and he will do whatever it takes to protect Emily. Loved this story! These two were fun to watch them banter. Both have been hurt in the past and it was nice to see them heal together and find a partner in one another. It’s always fun being back in this world, and it was just another great addition to the universe as a whole!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Evergreen University Book 1: Blitz’d by Lee McCormick & RS McKenzie

 

Evergreen University Book 1

Zander

Kissing my rival shouldn’t have felt so good.

Finding out my girlfriend has been cheating on me for months makes me do something crazy: kiss my rival to make her jealous. I wasn’t supposed to like kissing Kerian Slade. He’s a psycho who demands things of me…things I shouldn’t want. But there’s something about Kerian that draws me in, and now that I’m caught in his web, he won’t let me go.

Kerian

The number one rule: don’t care about people.

Caring is a distraction, and emotions are messy… and messy is something I hate. Which is why I’m confused when the messiest player I’ve ever met—my rival—kisses me and turns my world on its head. Zander Braithe is sweet, emotional, and straight. That doesn’t stop him from coming back for more, and that doesn’t stop me from realizing I’ll burn the world down to make him mine.

Blitz'd is a dark themed MM romance between two rival football quarterbacks and a kiss that changes everything. It contains high heat, unexpected sweetness and a possessive quarterback that thinks stalking is a love language and a NFL hopeful that wants to love him despite his initial misgivings.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223399381-blitz-d

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

When Zander finds out his girlfriend has been cheating on him for months with one of his teammates right before their game against their rival school, he may do something a bit impulsive. Like kiss his biggest rival, the opposing quarterback. The kiss was just to make his now ex-girlfriend jealous. It wasn’t supposed to be the best kiss of his life. Or spark something in Kerian either. Because Kerian won’t let him go now. Now after that. And turns out, Zander doesn’t mind one bit. Kerian keeps everyone at a distance. But the moment Zander kisses him, he knows he is in trouble. And for someone like him, he can’t walk away that easily. Zander is his now and he won’t let him go. I really enjoyed this darker mm romance. I loved that Zander at first may have been confused to his reaction to Kerian but it doesn’t take him long to accept himself and realize that his feelings for Kerian are real. He puts his whole heart into it. And Kerian needs someone like that. And Kerian is definitely that bit of crazy, little violent, but super protective of those he calls his. And there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for Zander. A good story all around!